Damien is 9to5Google‘s resident Video Producer and has over a decade of UK media experience. He worked within the sports industry and with numerous sports-focused publications — including golfing publication National Club Golfer — prior to joining the 9to5Google team.
After completing a BSc in Computer Science at the University of Hull with a major focus on data analytics and UX, he joined the Press Association (now PA Media), developing growing sports data products for the Barclay’s Premier League. These’s data packages included the now-defunct ACTIM Index which eventually evolved into the EA Sports Player Performance Index.
While working with the UK’s largest media agency, he attained a MA in Journalism at Sheffield Hallam University after completing his studies in 2014. This is where a love affair with all things videography surfaced after a brief stint in student TV. A major interest and constantly growing know-how of technology and videography have seen Damien lead 9to5Google’s official YouTube channel since 2018. He previously hosted the 9to5Google Daily podcast from 2019 to 2021.
Damien’s expertise and focus area lie in a number of beats including Android and OEM software updates, mobile applications, smartphone and accessory reviews, and just about anything that makes a modern mobile nerd tick. He says that he is “platform agnostic” despite primarily using Android devices and attempts to regularly test the iOS waters to better understand the nuances of the tech he covers on a day-to-day basis.
Outside of the tech space Damien is an avid supporter of his boyhood soccer team Hull City and is even a fully qualified Barista — with 3 years of experience making speciality coffee. Be sure to follow him on Threads, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and Instagram for insights and upcoming video updates and tidbits. If you are interested, you can also check out just what video gear he is currently using on his dedicated Kit.co page.
Listen to a short-form recap or roundup of all the top 9to5Google stories of the previous 24 hours. 9to5Google Daily is available on Spotify,Google Podcasts, Amazon, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
Although a long time coming, the Google Clock app has now clocked up a very impressive 1 billion downloads on the Play Store.
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The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is a good phone trapped between two price points and living in the shadow of the excellent Poco F3.
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Listen to a short-form recap or roundup of all the top 9to5Google stories of the previous 24 hours. 9to5Google Daily is available on Spotify,Google Podcasts, Amazon, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
Being hypercritical of OnePlus and the firm’s recent update track record appears to be paying dividends as OxygenOS 10.3.10 is now bringing the April 2021 security patch to older devices including the OnePlus 6 and 6T.
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Listen to a short-form recap or roundup of all the top 9to5Google stories of the previous 24 hours. 9to5Google Daily is available on Spotify,Google Podcasts, Amazon, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
A new change to the audio-playing experience on Android 12 DP3 might prove to be very divisive, as currently playing audio will now crossfade when another app initiates playback.
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Last week we asked you just how often you upgrade from one Google Pixel to another. It was a popular poll, with over 8,000 responses officially recorded — although many more left us a comment describing their process of upgrading from one device to another.
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It appears as though the OxygenOS Open Beta 3 and Beta 9 updates are now rolling out for the OnePlus 8T and 8 series respectively.
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Listen to a short-form recap or roundup of all the top 9to5Google stories of the previous 24 hours. 9to5Google Daily is available on Spotify,Google Podcasts, Amazon, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
If you’re frustrated by the level of control offered by the YouTube mobile app with regard to video resolution, then the addition of even more precise options will be very welcome.
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YouTube is now making it even easier to change your channel name without needing to make any sort of alterations to your associated Google account.
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The clipboard manager in Gboard is a really solid addition, but it might level up soon as a scrolling suggestion bar looks to be in testing with some users.
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To help you celebrate St George’s Day, Google’s latest Doodle features the eponymous dragon slayer in an illustrated tapestry.
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Listen to a short-form recap or roundup of all the top 9to5Google stories of the previous 24 hours. 9to5Google Daily is available on Spotify,Google Podcasts, Amazon, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
The Android 12 Developer Preview 3 is set to be the last “full” developer build of the latest OS, and we’ve unearthed a treasure trove of new user-facing features.
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As we delve deep into the minutiae of the third Android 12 Developer Preview, we’re finding more notable changes including the screenshot editor and markup tool.
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Android 12 is set to provide some of the most extensive UI tweaks and redesigns, with a wide array of UI elements and menus receiving a larger “bubbly” look in the latest Developer Preview 3.
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Listen to a short-form recap or roundup of all the top 9to5Google stories of the previous 24 hours. 9to5Google Daily is available on Spotify,Google Podcasts, Amazon, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
As the “main” flagship for Xiaomi in 2021, at least on paper, the Mi 11 Ultra really doesn’t disappoint. No smartphone is used on paper though and how it stacks up is far more nuanced.
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Listen to a short-form recap or roundup of all the top 9to5Google stories of the previous 24 hours. 9to5Google Daily is available on Spotify,Google Podcasts, Amazon, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
Google Play Games is making it easier to manage all of the installed titles on your device with a dedicated “Games” homescreen folder that will auto-populate with any new additions.
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After being critical of OnePlus’s recent update track record, OxygenOS 11.2.4.4 has now started rolling out for the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro with the latest April 2021 security patch in tow.
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After hints, teasers, and then confirmation from EA, the immensely popular free-to-play battle royale FPS Apex Legends Mobile is finally set to arrive on Android.
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